Cammy’s first anniversary

Nikon D40

I got my Nikon D40 on January 20, 2009. It has taken me on a special journey since then. A year has passed since then and it has been an enriching experience for me.

Nikon D40

Image source: Digital Photography Review

Initially, I was capturing moments in my life and interesting things that I see. A few piles of photography books and thousands of shots later, I realise that I have started to shoot differently. I try to look for patterns to create shots. I try to capture the atmosphere of special moments rather than just capture the moment. These are baby steps that I have taken in the one year that passed.

From the 18-55mm kit lens that came with the camera body, I shifted to a 18-200mm VR superzoom lens. The telephoto range of the new lens allowed me to have a greater reach on my travels and I have learnt to use it to shoot better portraits and even mimic macro shots.

Nikon 18-200 mm VR II

Image source: KenRockwell.com

The next lens I picked up was a 50mm f1.8 prime lens for shooting figurines. I have yet to master shooting portraits with it since I can only focus manually on my D40. I love how the bokeh turns out though.

Nikon 50mm f1.8 D

Image source: KenRockwell.com

I shifted to a D90 slightly more than a week ago. As mentioned in the previous entry, I was convinced that the advantages of using a D90 would have an impact on my photography. Hence the decision to make the switch. I have been impressed by the D90’s performance so far.

Image source: Digital Photography Review

I carried my camera every where I go in the past year, except in situations where carrying a camera would be impractical. I hope to have either camera out of the bag more often in the year to come. I realize that once the camera is out of the bag, I’ll keep shooting.

Onward, Cammy and Shasha!

Responses

  1. Sweetpea1981 Avatar

    Lol we started off identically (except I had a D40x)! Progressed from a 18-55 to the sigma 18-200, then a manual focus 50mm… Now I have my 35mm on a new D5000 body. Should have kept the D40x as a back up though!

    1. Jenxi Seow Avatar

      Congrats on the D5000 and the 35mm! How does the 35mm compare with the 50mm? I find the 50mm a little too close at times, especially in confined spaces. I wonder if I should get a 35mm or a 105mm VR. Both would be great for portraits but the way they need to be handled would be so different!

  2. […] where photos were becoming more important to tell a story. And this eventually led me to purchasing my first camera in […]

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